'08 FLHTCU pulls to the left - Harley Davidson Forums: Harley Davidson Motorcycle Forum

lakerats · 07-09-2009, 12:37 PM

'08 Ultra Classic (June 25, 2008) 15,500 miles
SC slip-ons, Stage 1 air, Race tune, dyno'ed
Windshield cut down 1", H-D Highway pegs
New tires, New brake pads F/R
All routine maintenance checkups are current/up-to-date

From day one this bike has had a left roll-off problem. Originally addressed by my H-D dealership at the 500 mile checkup in July 2008. Since then the bike has been in the shop four more times for the same issue.

Complaint: I must maintain about a half-to-one-pound pressure on the right grip (or pull on the left) in order to counter a tendency of the bike to roll/drift to the left. This problem occurs at any speed, on any road surface and at any location on the road, e.g. right, left, or center of either the right or left lane. The crown of the road has no impact on this problem. Typical scenario (2 or 4-lane roadway): driving straight, 30mph, cruise control engaged. I lift my hands about 1/2" off the grips and the bike starts a slow roll to the left and becomes progressively tighter. Another way to look at it: same conditions (any speed 30 through 80) - I take my left hand off the grip and I must continuously push against the right handlebar (grip) to counter the movement. The roll rate is consistent at any speed. The roll is so pronounced that the only way to get the bike to travel straight is to hang my right butt cheek of my butt cheek off the seat!

Over the past four times in the shop for this issue I have been told that the condition is normal or the dealership has claimed they re-aligned the bike and on the test drive could not replicate the roll-off...that the bike drove "straight as an arrow" when the mechanic drove it.

At wit's end I began to doubt my driving skills, habits & sanity. This morning a friend of mine followed me while I replicated the problem - he witnessed what I have been experiencing. We then swapped bikes and he experienced the same roll. I lifted my hands from the grips on his bike and his bike (also an Ultra) drove straight and true. So I am NOT CRAZY!!

I know that my dealership is getting close to throwing their hands up on this issue. So....before I take it to the next level....I wanted to check with some of the learned and wise visitors to this forum to see if anyone else is or has experienced a similar problem and what you did about it. Did your mechanic find a solution?

Please don't tell me to find another dealership as the one I use is the closest and is 40 miles away - one way. Although my confidence in their honesty and mechanical aptitude is just about shot...there's got to be something that they are missing here.

At wit's end,

Clif
Spicewood, TX

tibadoe · 07-09-2009, 01:07 PM

I would be interested to know what is causing this. Just in case I may have the same problem in the future. I would still consider asking around at other dealers, they may have had the same problem in the past and can tell you straight up what's causing this.

lakerats · 07-09-2009, 01:10 PM

Thanks, Joe!

In researching about 5 forums, I've come up with a list of things to check and discuss with my dealer:

- Clutch cable
- Rear wheel alignment
- Engine alignment
- Rear rim runout

I'm still researching.

Thanks again.

XDixiecratX · 07-09-2009, 03:37 PM

Sounds like a windshield issue to me, try ajusting it.

smackay · 07-09-2009, 04:13 PM

Wow, My 08 Heritage does the exact same thing. I got told by the dealer that the bike seems fine to them and everything is in perfect alignment. I now suspect a slight warp in the frame and the moco just doesn't want to deal with it. Basically, it would cost them a small fortune to replace the frame if thats the case. I have seen one other bike with this problem. My cousin has an 08 RK and he is pissed off about it. But what can you do. I'll just deal with it and when I eventually trade up, You can bet I'll be checking for this. IMHO, Quality at HD seems to be suffering the last few years.

dragonass · 08-07-2009, 09:25 AM

Are yuor saddle bags and tour pack empty? Do you anything hanging on the left handle bar like a cup holder or a gps.

SCHMIDTYS · 08-10-2009, 08:16 AM

A couple things : Make sure the rear axle cams are in contact with the nubs on the swingarm and are in good condition , not that one or the other nub is crushed . The alignment has to be done with the special tool NOT a pair of straight edges running along the front and rear tires and NOT a laser aligner . The special tool aligns both the horizontal and vertical axis of the bike .